Umbrella runner



M. H. HARTZELL UMBBELLA RUNNER Filed March 27.

1922 2 Shasta-8h08?. 2

Patented Oct. 14, 1924.

MORRIS H. HARTZELL, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

vUlVIB:BIELII'A RUNNER.

Application filed March 27, 1922.y Serial No. 547,075.

To all whom t may conce/m:

Be it known that I, Monnis H. HARTZELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia- '5 and State ofPennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in UmbrellaRunners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in umbrellas and has Vparticularreference to means for holding an umbrella in closed position.

lAn object of the present invention is the provision of means which inaddition to the advantages above set forth will provide a quick andready release of the holding means, the said holding means and releasingmeans being ysuch as to especially adapt the invention for use inconnection with self opening umbrellas.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an umbrella holdingand releasing device, which is simple in construction,

positive in operation and which may be manipulated with one hand.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includesthe following novel features and details of construction,

l to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings: l

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the frame ofan umbrella showing the latter in closed position.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the ribs and runner released.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section showing the manner of depressing therunner engaging spring.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 -1 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the runner.

Figure 6 is a similar view of the sliding rib retainer, the latter beingpartly broken away to show the slot.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of theinvention.

Figure 8 is a detail view of one end of the runner shown in Figure 7.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like characters ofreference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10indicates the rod of an umbrella which is shown as being of hollowtubular construction and which carries at one end a handle or grip 11.

Mounted for sliding movement upon the rod 10 is a runner 12, which isadapted to have connected thereto braces 13 for connec-tion with ribs14. The runner 12 is of cylindrical formation and includes a restrictedportion 15 which engages and slides on the rod 10, so that the saidrunner will be guided in its movement during the opening and closing ofthe umbrella. i`

Located within the rod 10 is a spring member 16, having one endpositioned within an opening 17 provided in the rod 10 and its oppositeend extending through a slot 18 and forming a latch or dog 19. Theintermediate portion of the member 16 is provided with a lug 20' whichlbears against the inner wall ofthe rod 10.

The inner end of the restricted portion 15 of the sleeve 12 is pro-videdwith a shoulder which is adapted to be engaged by the latch 19 and inthe operation of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, thisshoulder is formed by enlarging they inner' end of the runner andbending the extremity of this enlarged portion inward, as shown at 21,so that the latch 19 may enter this enlarged portion and engage theshoulder' to hold the runner against movement.

Also mounted for sliding movement upon the rod 10 is a sleeve 22 whichis adapted to enter the enlarged portion formed on the inner end of therunner 12 and this sleeve is provided with a slot 23 for the passage ofthe latch 19 so as to permit the latter to engage the shoulder 21. Thesleeve is provided at its opposite end with an annular boss 24 toprovide a gripping element for operating the sleeve. Surrounding the rod10 and abutting the end of the grip or handle 11 is a thimble 25 whichprovides a stop for engagement by the boss 24 to limit the movement ofthe sleeve 22 in this direction. EX- tending from the sleeveintermediate its ends is a cup-shaped flange 26 which is adapted toreceive the inner end of the runner 12, being sufficiently spaced fromthe runner to provide for the reception of the tips or ends of the ribs14.

The invention is especially designed for use in connection with a selfopening urnbrella and when the latter is closed, the parts will be inthe position shown in Figure 1. In order to permit the umbrella to open,the

sleeve 22 is moved in a direction toward the handle 11 and as the dog 19extends through the slot in this sleeve, the end wall of the slot willengage an inclined or cam surface 27 provided on the dog so that thelatter will be depressed within the rod 10 and disengaged from theshoulder 19. This will permit of sliding movement of the runner 12 in adirection away from the handle 11 and as the ribs 14 have been releasedfrom the cup-shaped flange 26 by' the sliding movement of the sleeve 22,the umbrella will be permitted to open.V

When closing the umbrella, the sleeve 22 is again moved inward towardthe handle 11 so as to depress the latch 19 and permit the runner toslide over the latch. The ribs are then gathered inward around the endof the runner and the sleeve 22 released, whereupon the action ofthe dogwill cause the sleeve to move in a `direction away from thehandle andpermit the said dog to again engage the shoulder 21.

In Figures 7 and 8, the 'construction of the invention is the sameexcept that instead of forming the inner end of the runner 12 with theenlarged portion as shown in the preceding figures, this end of therunner is only suilicently enlarged to receive the end of the sleeve. Aslot 28 is provided in this end of the runner to receive the latch 19and theA vlatter is adapted to engage a shoulder 29 formed at the innerend of the slot 28. The y for controllino' the ribs, a springact-uatedmember projecting through a slot in the rod for en 'agement with therunner to hold the umbre la in closed position, a sleeve slidable uponAthe rod within the runner and having an opening for the passage ofthe'rspring actuated member whereby the vlatter may be operated to releasethe runner, a cupshaped-member carried by and surrounding the sleeve inthe rear of said slot, said cup-` shapedmember adapted to receive theribs when the umbrella is in folded position, said sleeve rearwardly ofsaid cup-shaped member having an annular boss forming a finger piece,and said sleeve being held ad- 'jacent the handle end of the umbrellathe spring actuated member at all times.

' In testimony whereof I ax my signature.

. MORRISH. ILIARTZ'ELL.l

